Our sell-out production of Romeo & Juliet has come to an end, but there’s no rest for our technical team, who now have the task of converting the second floor of a city centre office block – Number One First Street – into a 120-seat temporary theatre space for our Autumn productions.
The modern office building, which overlooks our new home at First Street, scheduled to open in Spring next year, is the third location for our interim theatre season, following on from the first, a disused Ancoats pub for Angel Meadow; and the second, the magnificent Victoria Baths for Romeo & Juliet. Not only will you see some stimulating theatre, but you’ll also have a chance to see how work is progressing on our brand new building.
The programme kicks off on Fri 17/Sat 18 October with the Best of BE FESTIVAL, a diverse and eclectic collection of four pieces of drama in which the audience journeys across Europe on a trip where the theatrical emphasis is firmly on the physical. Best of BE FESTIVAL (Birmingham European) champions the work of original and daring theatre-makers from across the continent, and this is the festival’s first ever visit to Manchester. And if four performances wasn’t enough, the ticket price includes an interval dinner with fellow audience members and the performers.
The Best of BE FESTIVAL is followed by the award-winning The Events running from Wed 22 – Sat 25 October. Presented by the Actors’ Touring Company, David Greig’s moving and strangely uplifting play asks why terrible things happen – how far can forgiveness go in the face of an appalling atrocity? And look our for a local choir at each performance.
If you enjoyed our recent Romeo & Juliet, two of the creative team behind the production – composer Nikola Kodjabashia and Movement Director Mia Theil Have – are the collaborators on Insomnia, on Thu 6 and Fri 7 November, an entertaining and thought-provoking piece for children, adults, and insomniacs alike, weaving together physical and musical storytelling. There will be a free pre-show practical workshop for all ticket holders led by the creative team on the Friday, and a post-show discussion each evening on making cross-art theatre.
Tickets for Best of BE FESTIVAL, The Events, and Insomnia productions are on sale now.